Care and Cleaning

General Information: Care and Cleaning

WARNING Concerning Stationary Images on the TV Screen:

Do not leave picture border bars or stationary images on screen for extended periods of time. This can cause uneven picture-tube aging.

Normal use of the TV should involve the showing of pictures that contain constantly moving and changing images that fill the screen. Be careful not to leave nonmoving images on screen for extended periods of time, or to display the same images on screen too frequently, because subtle ghost images can be left on the picture tubes. Avoid showing pictures with border bars or the same stationary images more than 15 percent of your total viewing in any one week. Sources of stationary images may be broadcast channels, cable channels, satellite channels, digital television boxes, DVD discs, laser discs, video games, CD-i discs, videotapes, and others. Here are some examples of sta- tionary images (this is not an all-inclusive list; you may encounter others in your viewing):

•Border bars—solid bars shown when viewing a standard (4:3) picture and some widescreen movies on your widescreen (16:9) TV

•DVD menus—listings of DVD disc content

•Video-game images and scoreboards

•Television station logos—present a problem if they are bright and stationary; moving or low-contrast graphics are less likely to cause uneven aging of the picture tube

•Stock-markettickers—presented at the bottom of the TV screen

•Shopping channel logos and pricing displays—bright and shown constantly or repeatedly in the same location on the TV screen.

All picture tubes age with use, with their light output diminish- ing over time. But by maintaining normal use—mixing televi- sion picture types—you will create conditions in the tubes age at an even rate. The result will be a TV picture that is evenly bright over the entire screen.

PLACEMENT OF THE TV

•To avoid cabinet warping, cabinet color changes, and increased chance of set failure, do not place the TV where temperatures can become excessively hot; for example, in direct sunlight or near a heating appliance.

•Be sure to allow a free flow of air to and from the perforated back cover of the set.

CLEANING

•To avoid possible shock hazard, be sure the TV is unplugged from the electrical outlet before cleaning.

•Regularly dust the TV with a dry, nonscratching duster to keep the TV clean.

•When cleaning the TV, take care not to scratch or damage the screen surface. Avoid wearing jewelry or using anything abrasive. Do not use household cleaners. Wipe the front screen with a clean cloth dampened with water. Use even, easy, vertical strokes when cleaning.

Specially designed screen-cleaning kits are also available. These kits contain anti-static cleaners and cloths designed to get into the ridges of the TV screen. Purchase the kits at stores that sell electronics. Or call our Customer Care Center at 1-800-531-0039.

•Gently wipe the cabinet surfaces with a clean cloth or sponge dampened in a solution of cool, clear water and a mild soap or detergent. Use a clean, dry cloth to dry the wiped surfaces.

•Occasionally vacuum the ventilation holes or slots in the back cover of the set.

•Never use thinners, insecticide sprays, or other chemicals on or near the cabinet, as they might cause permanent marring of the cabinet finish.